Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero expressed optimism in a recent interview with Iranian television channel Hispan TV, stating that he envisions Cuba in "a much more favorable situation" within five years. Marrero emphasized that despite the "very tough" and "extremely difficult" path, the regime is confident in its course, believing that "the revolution has overcome more challenging moments and achieved victory."
The prime minister highlighted the importance of international support from "allies" such as Venezuela, currently embroiled in a political crisis following electoral fraud; Iran, entangled in conflicts with Israel; and Russia, involved in the war in Ukraine. "We never promise our people what we cannot deliver," Marrero asserted, pledging that they will proceed "step by step" and "steadfastly," facing all challenges "until victory is achieved."
Marrero's remarks, which were also discussed on the program Mesa Redonda, came during a "working visit" to Iran from July 29 to 31 and to Angola. In Angola, he was received by the Secretary of State for Administration, Finance, and Heritage, María Fragoso Pascual Ramiro, and Angola's Ambassador to Cuba, María Cándida Teixeira. Among those accompanying Marrero were the First Deputy Minister of the Armed Forces, General of the Army Corps Ramón Espinosa Martín, and the CEO of Corporación Antex S.A., Carlos Santiago Martínez Rodríguez.
The prime minister led the Cuban delegation at the inauguration ceremony of Iran's new president, Masud Pezeshkian, on July 30. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minrex), Marrero also met with Iranian business leaders and solidarity groups supporting the Cuban regime.
During an appearance on Mesa Redonda, Ambassador Carlos Miguel Pereira, Director General of Bilateral Affairs at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described Marrero's visit to Iran as "historic." It was his first visit as prime minister, continuing a "historic" year in bilateral relations marked by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel's state visit in December 2023 and the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Cuba, which resulted in numerous agreements.
Marrero's visit aimed to reaffirm these agreements, although the regime framed it as reinforcing Cuba's commitment to collaboration with the Iranian government. Pereira noted that Marrero reiterated this commitment during his meeting with President Pezeshkian.
Marrero's optimistic forecast for Cuba in five years adds to a series of unfulfilled promises by the Cuban government. In the first half of 2024, the government failed to meet its commitments but promised new initiatives for the second half of the year. "The working system must change; it cannot remain the same as in the first semester," Marrero stated during a Council of Ministers meeting, calling for a battle against bureaucracy and administrative delays.
At the beginning of this year, amid growing public concern over rising fuel and service prices, including transportation, electricity, and liquefied gas, Díaz-Canel continued to assert that they would "triumph and overcome." In April, Díaz-Canel promised "better times" through "effort and creative resistance," but these promises seem distant as the tourism sector, a key revenue generator, has yet to recover, experiencing another year-over-year decline from January to July.
Sixty-five years after coming to power, the Cuban communist regime continues to make similar promises, which have led to record emigration rates in the past year and projections that the island's population will drop to 6 million by 2100.
Future Prospects and Challenges for Cuba
In light of Prime Minister Manuel Marrero's statements, we address some frequently asked questions about Cuba's future and the challenges it faces.
What are the key challenges Cuba faces in the coming years?
Cuba faces significant challenges such as economic instability, international sanctions, political unrest, and the need for substantial structural reforms.
How does international support impact Cuba's future?
International support from allies like Venezuela, Iran, and Russia is crucial for Cuba, providing economic aid and political backing amidst global isolation and internal challenges.
What are the prospects for Cuba's tourism industry?
The tourism industry in Cuba is struggling to recover, with a continued decline in visitor numbers from January to July. Revitalizing this sector is critical for economic recovery.